A recent audit has found that many school canteens in Dubai are failing to provide enough fruits and, alarmingly, continue to offer items that are banned for students.
“Audit Reveals Dubai School Canteens Lacking Fruits and Serving Banned Foods”
Dubai Municipality has identified multiple concerns in school canteens throughout the emirate, including limited fruit offerings and the presence of prohibited ingredients.
Under its My School Food initiative, the authority is conducting a comprehensive audit of over 200 schools, reviewing more than 7,000 food products in total.
A spokesperson for Dubai Municipality highlighted that the ongoing audit of school canteens across the emirate is among the most detailed and extensive examinations of its kind ever undertaken in the city. According to the official, the review has revealed numerous shortcomings in the nutritional standards provided in school cafeterias, drawing attention to issues that have persisted despite ongoing awareness campaigns and regulations aimed at promoting healthier eating habits among students. The findings underscore a worrying trend in which schools, despite having access to guidance and resources, continue to fall short in ensuring that children receive balanced and nutritious meals throughout the school day.
One of the most notable concerns identified during the audit relates to the insufficient availability of fresh fruits in canteen menus. The spokesperson emphasized that fruits are a critical component of a balanced diet, offering essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that support growth, cognitive development, and overall health in children. Despite the well-documented benefits of regular fruit consumption, many schools were found to provide only a limited selection of these vital foods. This lack of variety not only diminishes the nutritional value of meals but also restricts students’ exposure to healthy eating habits that could be beneficial for their lifelong health.
Hassa Al Sumaiti, Acting Head of the Applied Nutrition and Awareness Section, explained that the limited inclusion of fruits in school meals represents a missed opportunity to address nutritional deficiencies at an early stage. “Incorporating a diverse range of fruits into daily meals is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to improve nutrition on a consistent basis,” Al Sumaiti said. She stressed that establishing a routine of consuming fruits during school hours can significantly influence children’s dietary choices, encouraging them to prefer healthier options both at school and at home. The audit findings indicate that while some schools have made progress in introducing healthier alternatives, there remains a substantial gap between recommended nutritional guidelines and the actual offerings in many canteens.
The audit, conducted as part of the My School Food campaign, involves an extensive review process that spans more than 200 schools and evaluates over 7,000 individual food items. This meticulous approach enables authorities to identify not only the presence of restricted or unhealthy ingredients but also the overall nutritional quality and variety of meals provided to students. The spokesperson noted that the campaign is designed not merely to inspect compliance but to raise awareness among school administrators, food suppliers, and parents about the importance of providing balanced, wholesome meals. By highlighting areas of improvement, the initiative aims to support schools in creating menus that are both appealing and nutritionally sound, ensuring that children have access to the dietary resources they need to thrive academically and physically.
“We noticed a significant disparity between schools that consistently provide healthy options and those that face challenges in doing so, highlighting an imbalance in the quality of nutrition students receive. Additionally, certain snacks were found to surpass recommended nutritional limits or contained banned ingredients, emphasizing the need to enhance both regulatory guidance and monitoring,” she stated.
She made these remarks while speaking at a session on school nutrition during the Dubai International Food Safety Conference, which commenced on Monday. The session, attended by school administrators, teachers, and students, formed part of Dubai Municipality’s broader efforts to engage with the community and promote awareness about healthy eating in schools.
The current audits represent the first phase of a comprehensive strategic plan designed to enhance school food systems across Dubai, a process that all schools will participate in over the coming months. Following the audits, Dubai Municipality developed a benchmark specifically tailored to the unique needs of the emirate and launched a pilot program with a select group of schools.
“Before rolling out any new tools or guidelines across the entire city, we first test them with a small group of schools and suppliers,” she explained. “These pilot initiatives give us the chance to fine-tune our methods, tackle any issues, and adjust the plan or guidance based on real-world feedback.”
She noted that the pilot program will soon be expanded to cover every school across the emirate, ensuring a consistent approach to healthier school meals.
Hassa also highlighted the long-term impact of school canteen offerings on children’s dietary habits. “The food available to students today shapes their eating patterns as adults,” she said. “Developing healthy eating routines early on is essential for preventing obesity and chronic illnesses, and schools play a critical role by providing nutritious choices that can influence lifelong habits.”
She also emphasized that the meals provided in schools play a crucial role in children’s academic performance. “When children are well-nourished, they are able to focus more effectively, exhibit better behavior, and have the mental energy required to excel in their studies,” she explained. “Schools don’t just educate students—they influence families. The lessons children learn about healthy eating in their canteens and classrooms extend to their households and the wider community.”
At the event, Dubai Municipality recognized the creativity and efforts of students who took part in the “School Food Hero” competition, celebrating their innovative ideas aimed at improving nutrition and sustainability in school canteens. Participants were applauded for developing practical and forward-thinking solutions that could positively impact students’ eating habits and overall school food systems.
In the poster category, the top prize went to Jillian Jose Manaloto of Apple International School. Her winning entry focused on the concept of a “smartplate” designed for use in school canteens. The project proposed an AI-driven system capable of monitoring the nutritional quality of meals, providing instant feedback on food health, and offering personalized recommendations to students based on their dietary needs. Jillian’s idea stood out for its combination of technology, practicality, and its potential to encourage healthier eating habits among students.
Meanwhile, in the video category, Lamar Mohammed Adil from Pristine International School was recognized for his innovative vision of an AI-powered canteen. His submission highlighted how such a system could help reduce food waste and minimize reliance on single-use plastics, addressing both environmental and nutritional concerns. By integrating technology with sustainable practices, Lamar’s project demonstrated how smart solutions can make school dining healthier, more efficient, and more environmentally responsible.
The competition, part of DM’s ongoing initiatives, underscores the municipality’s commitment to nurturing young innovators who can shape the future of school nutrition.
